MOVIE REVIEW: LOGAN

In a hideout near the U.S./Mexico border, an aging Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for the ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart). However, their sheltered existence comes to a sudden end when a young mutant girl (Dafne Keen) arrives and needs their help to stay safe. James Mangold directed this film, the third Wolverine-based spin-off of the X-Men franchise. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle

Release Date: Mar 03, 2017

Rated R for Language Throughout, Brief Nudity and Strong Brutal Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 15 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Logan is one of the rare comic book movies that works on multiple levels.  James Mangold and Huge Jackman had a big task ahead of them trying to give fans the kind of send off that the character deserves.  Both seemed to have a great affinity for the character and it shows onscreen.  Mangold delivers a somber dour film that’s as exciting as it’s moving.  There’s an added depth to the character that gives Jackman more to work with than he’s had in previous solo films.  As such, it’s a meatier more well rounded performance even though the basic story of child and guardian is well worn.  Patrick Stewart also delivers an excellent performance as aged Professor X.  Stewart is clearly having a grand time in the role since the script gives him something different to do than just sit in the wheelchair and look stately.  Dafne Keen is a revelation as X-23.  Keen is able to deliver an impressive performance even though it’s mostly done with limited dialogue.  It’s a pivotal character and if the child actor wasn’t as strong, the film wouldn’t have been as good as it ended up being.  Logan is a strong film but it does drag in a few spots.  Certain sections feel like they could have been cut all together making the film a sleeker and better film.  Even with those issues, Logan finally nails the heart of the character which is a perfect way to end Jackman’s tenure in the role.

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Logan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Hugh Jackman's final turn with the super sideburns, Logan.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, mostly nothing you wouldn't get from trailers and clips.

 

A jaded, aging Logan is drawn from hiding to help a young mutant being pursued by some nasty characters.

 

Logan is a somber affair whose tone reflects its tired hero. This Logan isn't interested in saving the world, he's just trying to get by and get out. Action is plentiful, well-choreographed, and brutal, with decapitations and dismemberments aplenty. Do take that "R" rating seriously and leave the kids at home; graphic violence and bad language are pervasive. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and newcomer Dafne Keen turn in lovely performances that would not seem out of place on 2017's awards circuit, though timing and genre will probably leave them forgotten. The film suffers from its bloated runtime and tends to drag here and there. A trim would have worked in its favor, but otherwise, Logan is a superhero movie that's more than good enough to get away with taking itself so seriously. 

 

Logan clocks in at 137 minutes and is rated R for "strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity."

 

It's not quite The Dark Knight or Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but Logan is definitely one for the ages. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Logan gets eight.

 

Fangirl points: Stephen Merchant! Richard E. Grant!

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WOLVERINE

Hugh Jackman returns as Wolverine in this sequel to the member of the X-Men's first solo outing. Mark Bomback and The Usual Suspects' Christopher McQuarrie penned the script, which takes its inspiration from the Chris Claremont/Frank Miller Marvel miniseries from the 1980s dealing with the character's adventures in Japan as he fights ninjas in the ceremonial garb of the samurai. Knight and Day's James Mangold directs. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Brian Tee, Famke Janssen

Release Date: Jul 26, 2013 RealD 3D

Rated PG-13 For language, Intense Sci-Fi Action, Some Sexuality and Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 6 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine was such a massive misfire that I excised the majority of the film from my memory as soon as the film ended. Needless to the say, I wasn’t terribly excited about The Wolverine especially after Darren Aronofsky dropped out. James Mangold is a solid if unimpressive director so I was still fairly leery of another solo entry for Wolverine. Thankfully The Wolverine is a solid piece of comic book filmmaking with a focused storyline with a pensive seriousness that pervades the better part of the film. Mangold delivers a well balanced film that provides enough action to keep your blood pumping, an impressive bullet train sequence stands out, and heart to keep it interesting. By this point in time the audience should be well versed in the general particulars of Logan’s story so the film doesn’t waste much time explaining rudimentary facts, instead it focuses on Logan after the envents of X-Men: The Last Stand. As a result Hugh Jackman is allowed to flesh out some of the turmoil at play in Logan’s mind. The result is a mixed bag with some of the attempts hitting home while most of the Jean Grey hallucinations come off a tad too heavy handed. Even with its flaws, its effect character building. It helps that the cast of supporting characters and villains has been trimmed to an economically small group. Rila Fukushima leaves a solid impression as Logan’s de facto sidekick. Tao Okamoto, the love interest, feels like she should leave a bigger impression but she’s decidedly bland. Fairing worse is Svetlana Khodchenkova’s vamping villainess, Viper, who is a ham fisted misfire especially in the final act. The final act itself forgoes all the seriousness for a goofy and ultimately anticlimactic end to the film. The Wolverine would have fared better if it’d had some tighter editing, especially in the flabby midsection, and delivered a thrilling finale but it still delivers a solid entry into the X-men cannon. An excellent post credit sequence will leave you waiting patiently or impatiently for the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past.

B-

[Trailer] The Wolverine

It won’t take much to wash off the horrible taste from X-men Origins: Wolverine. It was probably one of the worse comic movies I’ve sat through. So while another go around with this character seems unnecessary at the very least they can’t do any worse than before, this trailer gives a glimmer of hope especially with quick shots of Silver Samurai among others. Still, after the last debacle I’m still very wary…



International Trailer




US Trailer